Local

Family of Mendon teen killed in June crash frustrated no charges filed yet against driver

BELLINGHAM, Mass. — On June 30, 17-year-old Jenna Giardini was killed in a single car crash in Bellingham, just weeks after she graduated Nipmuc Regional High School.

Jenna was the passenger in a car that slammed into a tree on Granite Street early that morning.

More than two months later, there are still no charges filed against the driver for the fatal crash.

“From that night until now, we really don’t have any more information,” Jenna’s mother, Tami Giardini, told me. “We were told by the Bellingham Police Department that speed was a factor. She was a passenger in a car that was in a bad accident, and that they went off the road.”

A small display of flowers, along with remnants of the crash reconstruction investigation, mark the spot on Bellingham’s Granite Street where the fatal crash took place.

Granite Street is a narrow, winding road with a 20-mile-an-hour speed limit with little to know lighting at night.

Tami Giardini told me that authorities assured her family that charges related to reckless driving and speeding would likely be filed against the driver, but two months later, no charges have been filed.

“We want justice for Jenna,” Tami Giardini said. “And we’re willing to do anything we can, our entire family, to move forward the investigation. And we don’t want to see any parent have to mourn the loss of a child but then have no answers either. It makes you feel their life wasn’t important.”

In a statement to Boston 25 News, the Worcester County DA’s office insists this case is open and active.

“We’re very sorry for the loss experience by Ms. Giardini’s family and friends. We’d like to reassure the Giardini family that we are committed to, and actively working on this case,” the statement reads.

Jenna Giardini would have turned 18 years old on Aug. 19. This week, she should be starting her freshman year at UMass Boston, where Jenna wanted to study nursing.

Instead, her family remains in deep grief over her death.

“Her life was very important. Not only are we mourning the loss of her life, we are also mourning the future memories we would have had with her,” her mother said.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Giardini’s hometown as Bellingham.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW